As you may have already seen Japan has been hit by a devastating earthquake and 30 ft high tsunami that left people with little chance to escape from the sheer destructive power of nature.
It has already heart-breakingly claimed 1000 lives, an entire city wiped out (Minamisanriku) in the north and half the population of sendai missing and their fate is unknown. Thousands of people have been left displaced, and with limited supply of fresh water and food. They are still experiencing severe aftershocks left by the earthquake (8.9 on the richter scale).
See the scale of destruction here...
Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com
BBC News - LIVE: Japan earthquake
YouTube - Japan: A Country Devastated, Waves Continue to Crash 3/12/2011
YouTube - Before and After the tsunami, Japan, 2011 march 11
How can you help?
- You can volunteer with Charity organisations,
- Raise awareness using Social Networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook etc.
- Begin Fundraising events in your community/university
- or Donate whatever you can
Our support can help the survivors get through this terrifying ordeal. Some of the charities operating there are...
- Japan Tsunami Appeal | British Red Cross
- http://www.icrc.org/eng/
- Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund - GlobalGiving (UK)
- Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund - GlobalGiving (US)
- Tsunami in Japan: List of 10 nonprofits that need your help | Causes Exchange
- MissionFish - The way to fundraise on eBay (Contribute using MissionFish using popular auction sites)
- You can donate using the American Red Cross on Facebook: American Red Cross - Causes Link
- If you are from the US, you can also donate $10 via text message by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.
These first few days are critical for the Japanese people. Our help will make a difference to them, and possibly save lives.
Additional Recommendations
Please beware of fake websites, stick to the well known charities or call them directly if you're not sure. It is sick that people will cheat donations away from those that really need it.
Refer to the Disasters Emergency Committee (an umbrella of the most effective humanitarian organisations). These are are list of genuine charities.
DEC Members - DEC
Do what you can to help. No matter how small it may seem to you, it WILL make a BIG difference to them.
Other ways you can help:
Japan earthquake: How you can help - Time Out Tokyo
Thank you everyone.
UPDATE: While you are donating, please consider donating to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal which suffered much worse than Japan. Unlike Japan it isn't a developed country and it also needs support to help them recover
OXFAM (HAITI) -
Haiti Earthquake & Cholera response: Emergencies - :: Oxfam GB
RED CROSS (HAITI) -
Haiti earthquake 2010 | British Red Cross
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